Conserve Water
Indoor Water Conservation Tips
Toilet
Toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption. Older, inefficient toilets that use as much as 6 gallons per flush also happen to be a major source of wasted water in many homes. Install a WaterSense labeled toilet. WaterSense labeled products use less water and can save money. The City of Houston Plumbing Codes requires toilets to use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush.
Check & fix toilet leaks. A leaking toilet alone can waste up to 200 gallons per day. This could cost up to $130 per month. Watch this video for how to fix a leaky toilet.
Shower
Replace your showerhead with a WaterSense labeled showerhead. The average family could save 2,700 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. If you are interested in a FREE water-efficient (1.25gpm) showerhead. Visit our Showerhead Program page or contact [email protected]. Available while supplies last, limit two per household. The City of Houston Plumbing Codes requires showerheads to use no more than 2.0 gallons per minute.
Take shorter showers. Reducing your shower time by 5 minutes or less can save over 10 gallons of water each time. That’s over 3,600 gallons per year.
Sinks and Faucet
Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, scrubbing hands or shaving, to save over 2,000 gallons and up to $360 per year.
Install water-efficient faucets and aerators. Replacing old, inefficient faucets and aerators with WaterSense labeled models can save the average family 700 gallons of water per year, equal to the amount of water needed to take 45 showers.
Sinks and Faucets
Install water-efficient faucets and aerators. Replacing old, inefficient faucets and aerators with WaterSense labeled models can save the average family 700 gallons of water per year, equal to the amount of water needed to take 45 showers.
Dishwasher and Disher
Run the dishwasher only when full and on the shortest cycle. Using a dishwasher uses four times less water than washing dishes by hand.
Scrape your plates instead of rinsing before loading them into the dishwasher.
Use fewer dishes. Designate one glass for drinking water each day or refill a water bottle.
Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator, instead of running the tap until the water is cool.
Other Ways to Save Indoors
- Wash only full loads of laundry and use the shortest cycle.
- Reuse water. Use pet’s old drinking water to water plants.
- Know where your master water shut-off valve is in case a pipe bursts.
- Renting? Report leaks to the building management or landlord.